Committee on the Rights of the Child
Children's Rights and Alternative Care 2021 Day of General Discussion - Programme
The 2021 event will be held virtually. See what sessions are planned below the 2021 Day of General Discussion on 16-17 September. RSVP links will be available soon.
Day 1: Thursday 16th September 2021
The below times are displayed in CET. Find your timezone here.
12.30 - 13:00: Welcome
Global welcome and coming together online and in person: video/messages from all regions on children’s rights and alternative care – progress that has been made, impact of the pandemic and a call to action
Logistical Information: explain how the conference will proceed, online features and working group options
13.00- 13.30: Opening remarks
- Welcome and introductions by Ms. Mikiko Otani, Chairperson for the Committee of the Rights of the Child
- Opening remarks by UNICEF Representative to speak on the impact of pandemic on children’s care and implications for care systems and this meeting
- Opening remarks by Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children
- Opening remarks by member of Children and Young People Advisory Teams
13.30- 14.15: Opening plenary presentations
Children’s Rights and Alternative Care - What are the messages of the DGD (including lessons from the pandemic for (re)building better systems of care)
- Presentation of the findings from the consultation process – Chair of the CRC Working Group – explaining the process and key themes emerging from the submissions
- Presentation of the findings of the children and young people’s survey – CAT/YAT
- Presentations by regional representatives on consultations for the DGD
14.15 - 14.30: Short break
Have a rest!
14.30 - 16.00: Discussion on Thematic Issues in Three Parallel Working Groups
Format
- 2-3 short interventions by speakers with direct care experience, including at least one child or young person, and country level practice examples based on a key contribution from the DGD consultation processes. (30min)
- Followed by discussions focused on solutions (Committee members/UN expert facilitators) (45min) – focused questions on google jamboard
- Conclusions and final remarks (15min)
Working Group 1
Ensuring all children grow up in safe and nurturing families: Strengthening families and communities to prevent separation (with lessons from the pandemic)
- What is needed?
- What do we know works to support all families and address the key drivers of separation?
- Positive examples of prevention services to strengthen family-based care, including for children with disabilities, children living in extreme poverty and in marginalised communities.
- Where are we getting stuck and how can we address these challenges?
- What can governments do to achieve this?
Working Group 2
Addressing the care needs and rights of children who are separated, unaccompanied or without care
- What do we know works for children who are unaccompanied or separated from their families, including migrant and refugee children, children left behind, children with disabilities, street connected children, and children who are trafficked?
- Positive examples of family reintegration services and identification of appropriate placement options
- Where are we getting stuck and how can we address these challenges?
- What governments need to do to achieve this?
Working Group 3
Access to Justice and accountability for children and young people in alternative care, their families, and adults who grew up in care
- What are the lessons learnt from national inquiries and redress schemes addressing historic violations of rights faced by children in alternative care that must be addressed as part of care reform efforts and how?
- How do we address structural discrimination and racism that leads to overrepresentation of children with disabilities, LGBTQI+ children, children in extreme poverty, indigenous children and children of colour in alternative care?
- What do we know works to ensure States’ responsibility and accountability in addressing children’s rights violations in the context of alternative care, both in its use and provision, and what are positive examples?
- Where are we getting stuck and how can we address these challenges?
- What must governments do to achieve this?
16.00- 16.30: Break
Have a rest!
16.30 - 17.00: Plenary
Presentation by rapporteurs of the working groups conclusions
17.00- 17.15: Closing
Closing Remarks for Day One
DAY 2: Friday 17th September 2021
The below times are displayed in CET. Find your timezone here.
8.30 – 9.00: Welcome
Global welcome and coming together online and in person: videos/messages from all regions on children’s rights and alternative care – progress that has been made, impact of the pandemic and a call to action.
9.00- 9.30: Recap
Welcome and recap for those who didn’t attend Day One .
9.30- 11.00: Discussions on Thematic Issues in Two Parallel Working Groups
Format
- 2-3 short interventions by speakers with direct care experience, including at least one child or young person, and country level practice examples based on a key contribution from the DGD consultation processes. (30min)
- Followed by discussions focused on solutions (Committee members/UN expert facilitators) (45min) – focused questions on google jamboard
- Conclusions and final remarks (15min)
Working Group 1
Delivering appropriate quality alternative care services.
- How do we deliver quality alternative care services for children
- What does quality care mean to children and young people?
- Lessons learnt on supporting kinship care and establishing foster care systems and support to transitioning out of care
- Positive examples of improving quality services
- Where are we getting stuck and how can we address these challenges?
- What should governments do to achieve this?
Working group 2
Transforming the system towards family and community-based care
- How do we better redirect and transform the child welfare system towards family and community solutions?
- Lessons learnt on redirecting human and financial resources
- What needs to be done to strengthen the regulatory system (Data, monitoring, gatekeeping etc.)?
- Addressing the barriers/incentives (private funding, volunteering, orphan business, beliefs and attitudes)
- Positive examples of system and services transitions
- Where are we getting stuck and how can we address these challenges?
- What should governments do to achieve this?
11.50- 12.45: Plenary - Future Looking
Drawing lessons from each of the working groups to identify key changes needed to achieve our vision for children’s care.
11.00-11.30: Break
Enjoy a video from UNICEF!
11.30- 11.50: Plenary
Presentation by rapporteurs of the working groups conclusions
12.45- 13.00: Closing
Closing Remarks and Next Steps